Wednesday, July 14, 2004

Hate Amendment Fails

Senate Scuttles Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage

Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic presidential candidate who will run against Bush in November, hailed the Senate's rejection of an issue "designed to divide us for political purposes." He said in a statement distributed by his campaign, "Even Republicans concede that this amendment is being offered only for political gains." Meanwhile, Kerry said, "the unfortunate result is that the important work of the American people . . . is not getting done."

His running mate, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, said in a separate statement, "The Constitution should never be used as a political tool to divide Americans."